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Uchenna, an Nnewi-based student of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu was travelling to see her sister in Lagos on October 29, 2011 when the accident happened.
She got to Lagos safely, boarded a cab going to her destination in Surulere. But a few meters to her sister’s place, another vehicle hit the cab from the rear and that was all Uche could recall when she woke up a few days later in a Lagos hospital. ‘
“I was rushed to a private hospital and later referred to Lagos University teaching hospital (LUTH). After a series of treatments, x-rays and MRI, it was discovered that I had an unusual shock that affected my spinal cord. This also affected my limbs so that I cannot walk or lift myself”, she lamented.
She stayed for several months in intensive care until she was discharged because they could no longer handle the bills, and there was no improvement. She stayed in the village for a while and was later transferred to another clinic in Port Harcourt, and later to Abakaliki in Ebonyi state.
Since then, she has been reduced to a liability to her people, unless good-spirited individuals assist her financially, to get an urgent medical treatment in India.
Like other ladies, beautiful Uche had dreams to finish school, get a job and settle down with family and contribute to the development of the society. She had earlier gotten admission to read Economics at the IMT, Enugu. She had also looked forward to graduating someday until fate dealt her a wicked blow.
Her father, Mathias Ikpe, a taxi driver, in an emotion laden chat with The Guardian explained that the family has exhausted all their life savings on Uche’s medical expenses and also incurred heavy debts; all to no avail.
He appealed to Nigerians to come to Uche’s aid to alleviate her suffering. “I am very hopeful that the Indian hospital will help my daughter to recover. My wife has become a full-time housewife because of taking care of her. She cannot do anything on her own without assistance”, he said.
The family has since then being depending on good Samaritans for her survival. According to her sister, the wheelchair she has been using and the machine she uses for therapy was provided by a good Samaritan. “That we eat today is by God’s grace and through people’s help. Even the house we live in was paid for by someone,” she bemoaned.
While Uche continues to stay indoors helplessly, help came through an evangelist who facilitated a medical evaluation for her in an Indian hospital. According to the medical evaluation by Forts Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, India, Uche would require spine surgery that will cost 16,000 dollars.
The medical report noted that the package excluded all expenses for stay beyond the treatment period, professional charge of other consultants, use of special drugs/consultants, blood products and complete laboratory investigations.
The surgery is supposed to restore Uche to her former self and give her the opportunity to move around and to continue her education like others. She appeals to well- meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies and NGO’s to assist her.
“I am appealing to Nigerians to help me. My name is Uchenna which means God’s will. I know this is not God’s will for me, I believe I will walk again one day, but I appeal to Nigerian’s for help. My international passport is ready, but we can’t travel without funds. God bless you as you assist”.
Kind-hearted Nigerians can help Uche through:
Keystone Bank Plc
Account No: 6001614158, Name-Ikpe Uche
Phone no: 08067753682, father’s no: 0803804438
Address: No 49 Adeshile Street, Mushin, Lagos.
For more on Uche Caroline Ikpe Click HERE
-Usaveone
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